Exclusive by Alan Quick

EVERY year Crediton’s Christmas Lights Switch-On gets more and more exciting with more lights, entertainment and excitement - but this year - on Saturday, November 25 - there could also be a “world first”!Local animation studio Yellow Mouse Studios, has teamed up with Crediton Town Council and the Christmas in Crediton committee to bring a little bit of visual Christmas magic to the townspeople as part of the event.Christmassy themed images will be placed around the town square, that when viewed via a handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet, will come to life as Christmas animations.There will be a number of different Christmas images to hunt out, so those attending are advised to keep their eyes peeled!The term used to describe these animated images is augmented reality.Augmented reality, or AR, has been around for a number of years now, however Yellow Mouse Studios has been pushing forward to make the technology available to local businesses and the council in a bid to enhance the experiences of locals and visitors when visiting the town.Daniel Willers, the creative director at Yellow Mouse Studios said: “There are a number of projects in the offing to put Crediton on the map as the first interactive augmented reality town in the UK, if not the world, but it has to start with little steps hence why we have decided to give this magical experience to the town for Christmas.”To be ready to view the augmented reality, those attending the Christmas in Crediton Lights Switch-On are advised that they will need to download the Zappar app from the appstore or Google play.After that, all that is required is to simply open the app and zap the image and watch the magic unfold in front of you on your device.Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Clare Dalley, said: “The Town Council and the Christmas in Crediton team are very excited that Yellow Mouse Studios have chosen Christmas in Crediton to showcase this fantastic new technology, which will add extra magic to the event and make Christmas in Crediton 2017 unique.”MAGICAL THEMEThis year there is a MAGICAL theme and everyone is encouraged to dress up as their favourite magical character.This could be Merlin, Harry Potter, the Snow Queen, Unicorns, Goblins, Elves, Pixies, Trolls and anything in between. The possibilities are endless!The Children's Fancy Dress Competition will be held at Crediton Methodist Church and there will be spot prizes for the best dressed adults.This year there will not be a High Street road closure.The event will be centred around the Town Square with entertainment, including live music, starting at 3pm and finishing at 6.30pm.A fancy dress parade down Market Street will precede the Big Lights Switch-On on the Christmas Tree in the Town Square at 5pm.Roads in the area, including North Street, Market Street and others, as well as the Market Street car park will be closed from 2pm to 7pm. There will also be a parking suspension in the immediate area from 12 noon to 7pm, which means no parking.Market Street car park will be closed throughout the afternoon.The popular Land Train will be running, providing trips around the town during the afternoon from 3pm.Winkleigh Morris will be dancing to entertain those who go along to events on the Town Square and there will also be appearances by Exeter Street Band, Charles Academy of Dance, Crediton Town Crier, the Chamber of Commerce Traders Race, Sandford Choir and a combined choir of pupils from Hayward's School and Landscore School.There will also be a guest appearance by none other than Father Christmas.There will be food and drink available from stalls on the Square and a number of shops and businesses will be staying open late.100 TREESThe town is already starting to look festive with 100 Christmas trees on shop and business fronts now in place and others including in the Town Square, at St Lawrence Green and three cross-street decorations in place.The trees and decorations as well as those at St Lawrence Green are part of the Christmas in Crediton committee plans to brighten up the town for the festive season, making it a special time for the people of the town and to encourage everyone to shop locally.The Christmas in Crediton committee is a sub-committee of Crediton Town Council, all volunteers, individuals and organisation representatives, which has held meetings regularly all year-long to plan the lights and town celebrations.Crediton Town Council makes a financial contribution to the project and sponsorship also comes from a number of businesses in Crediton.Main sponsors are Crediton Dairy, Mole Avon Trading Ltd, Create Storage, Yellow Mouse Studios Ltd, Hedgerow Print and Crediton Chamber of Commerce. Many other businesses have made donations to the lights and project and individual helpers and volunteers have helped to make the Christmas project possible.Electricity from a "green" provider for the lights for the main tree during the Christmas period is to generously be provided by The Green House.Volunteers from Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Tesco put up the lights around the town, which will have electricity connected to them in the near future.Crediton firefighters will also be attending with a fire engine, Crediton Guides will be attending and support will also be provided by Moto Velo.FREE PARKINGMotorists will be pleased to hear that Mid Devon District Council has kindly agreed to free parking all day at the High Street (St Saviour’s Way) car park on Saturday, November 25.The Rotary Clubs of Crediton, Lions Club of Crediton, Tesco Crediton staff and Crediton Air Cadets provide volunteer helpers to assist with the evening alongside volunteer individuals. Crediton Arts Centre is also actively involved in helping with the event.Electrical works, much of it free of charge, is again being kindly supplied by Jo Ward of Crediton.The Children’s Fancy Dress competition judging at Crediton Methodist Church will take place from 4pm and prizes have been generously donated by Crediton Tesco.Crediton Scouts are due to lead the mini-parade of children in fancy dress down Market Street to the Town Square at about 4.45pm.Following the Light Switch-On, local band "The Beatnxs" will entertain until 6.30pm.• The "Crediton Courier" run Best Dressed Christmas Window or Business competition will this year have no theme to any window or business display. It is hoped this will give business or shop owners and staff more scope to decorate as desired. Competition details will be delivered to businesses in the very near future.